Identifying unique point of view is step one in successful branding

I pose this question to clients when I’m working with them to build their personal brand. Whether building a corporate brand, a product brand or cultivating one’s personal brand, branding is becoming a critical component in consumers purchasing decision. This is especially true when what you’re marketing is you, and is based on factors including your skills, knowledge, experience, connectivity, ability to deliver results and charisma.

Many people think personal branding is just for celebrities. The truth is everyone has a brand, which is why it’s important to be aware of what personal brand building entails.

Personal branding, by definition, is the process by which we market ourselves to others. As a brand, we build what is called brand equity, a term used to describe the value of having a well-known brand name. The basic idea is that the owner of a well-known brand name can generate more money from products and services marketed under that name than from those with a less known name. In some circles it is believed that brands are one of the most valuable assets a company can possess.

It is important to know when it comes to building a personal brand there is no formula and no shortcuts. There are certain practices that will help you be successful, but there are no guarantees these actions will lead to the results you may be seeking. That is the very nature of personal branding.

In my experience, people who are more extroverted tend to execute personal branding strategies more efficiently and successfully than introverts. Personal branding can work for introverts, but it tends to be more challenging for them.

And while social media is an integral part of any personal branding campaign in 2015, it’s not the final word. Building a personal brand involves face-to-face relationship building as well as how you physically present yourself, what community groups and organizations you connect with, and, most importantly, the consistency around what you do and write and say.

At the end of the day, branding is a long-term strategy where you reap what you sow. If establishing a strong personal brand is an integral piece of your business strategy, it will require a much greater commitment than building a personal brand as a value add. Knowing the difference will help you determine the degree of effort you need to invest in building your personal brand.

So start thinking about your unique point of view. This will frame the face you present to the world and define how you position yourself for success.

The founder and President of Abundant Living Inc., Debbie Lawrence is a life, business & career coach and author of “Standing In Your Light: Women and Entrepreneurship” and “Dancing in Your Light: 6 Steps to Attracting A Life That Makes Your Heart Sing”. The former Director of the Professional Ethics Review Committee for the International Association of Coaches, she has been an adult educator and business coach for three decades. Debbie is also the recipient of the NS Champion Ambassador Award for Workplace Education. Check out her website at www.abundantliving.ca or call 895-6987